TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has asked President Joko Widodo to turn down the pleas for clemency filed by condemned Bali Nine drug ring leaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran.
Mega said drug trafficking had caused destruction to the generation of women and children in Indonesia.
“Narcotics and HIV are rampant. Prevention measures are urgently called for,” said Mega in her address at Sunday's event to commemorate International Women's Day at Taman Ismail Marzuki in Jakarta.
“That’s why I spoke to Jokowi to reject the requests for clemency for drug convicts on death row because this is Indonesia’s legal right.”
She continued that narcotics and HIV were interrelated and mothers had always fallen victim to drug trafficking.
“Many unsuspecting housewives are also affected. This has to stop,” she said.
Accompanying Mega at the event were women ministers in the Working Cabinet: Social Minister Khofifah Indah Parawansa, Health Minister Nila Moeloek, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani and Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti.
REZA ADITYA
